“Respect” stickers adorned the walls of the Franklin Avenue Station in 2018. This tribute honored Aretha Franklin after her death. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority added the signs to this station and the Franklin Street station in Manhattan. A Brooklyn resident suggested the idea after impromptu tributes arose.
Today, we’re at the Franklin Avenue Station. It’s not just a place to catch a train. It’s a junction where different lines converge. This station is shared by the BMT Franklin Avenue Line and the IND Fulton Street Line.
Let’s talk about the BMT Franklin Avenue Line. It opened on August 15, 1896. The Franklin Avenue Station connected with the Fulton Street Elevated. It replaced the Bedford Terminal station built in 1878. Initially, it had two tracks. But it was rebuilt as a single-track station in 1924. The old westbound track became a wooden platform. This helped crowds transfer between lines.
The Fulton Street Elevated Line closed in 1940. The city took over the BMT system. Passengers used paper transfers at Franklin Avenue. This gave them access to the new IND Fulton Street Line subway. In 1985, the Franklin Avenue Station saw few riders. Only 210 people used it daily.
The station underwent a complete rebuild from 1998 to 1999. It became a single-track station with one platform. The platform is 180 feet long. It can hold two 75-foot cars or three 60-foot cars. Eric Pryor created artwork for the station in 1999. It is called “Life and Continued Growth”. Stained-glass panels sit atop the entrance to the shuttle platform.
Skanska was hired in 2024. They replaced 21 escalators across the subway system. This included one escalator at the Franklin Avenue Station. The main station house is a three-story building. It sits at Fulton Street and Franklin Avenue. It connects to both platforms of the IND Fulton Street Line.
The IND Fulton Street Line platforms opened on April 9, 1936. This station has four tracks and two side platforms. The A train uses the two center express tracks during the day. Both platforms feature a light green trim line. “FRANKLIN” tile captions appear below in white on black.
The Franklin Avenue Station replaced its namesake. The original Franklin Avenue closed on May 31, 1940. The new IND subway replaced the BMT Fulton Street Elevated.
Before MetroCards, paper transfers allowed access to the shuttle station. After MetroCards, a machine issued paper transfers. These were good for 20 minutes. The in-system transfer eliminated the need for these.
Closed exits existed on the west end of the station. These led to the eastern corners of Classon Avenue and Fulton Street. They closed in the 1980s. The exit to the Manhattan-bound platform is blocked. The exit to the eastbound platform is sealed.
The BMT Fulton Street Line platforms opened on April 24, 1888. This station was on the demolished BMT Fulton Street Line. It had side platforms and a third track. Steam trains turned onto the BMT Brighton Line here. This accessed Brighton Beach.
Today, the Franklin Avenue Station stands as a testament to transit history. It reflects changes in New York City’s transportation. It connects different eras of subway development. The Franklin Avenue Station continues to serve Brooklyn.